If your lilies are covered in bright red beetles this spring, you’re not alone. Lily beetles have become a major problem across Saskatchewan over the last few summers, and they can quickly destroy lily plants if left untreated.

Adult beetles and their larvae feed on lily leaves, stems, and buds, often stripping plants down completely.

What You Can Do

Start Scouting Early

As soon as your lilies begin popping up in spring, start checking plants regularly for adult beetles, eggs, and larvae. Catching them early makes a huge difference in preventing major infestations later in the season.

Hand Pick Beetles and Eggs

The best defence is regular hand picking. Remove:

• Adult beetles
• Orange egg clusters under leaves
• Larvae

Dropping them into a bucket of soapy water works well.

Use Insecticidal Soap

Insecticidal soap sprays can help control young larvae when applied regularly. Be sure to spray both the tops and undersides of leaves.

Try Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth can also help reduce larvae and soft-bodied insects. Apply it around the base of plants or lightly on foliage during dry weather, and reapply after rain.

Consider Stronger Treatments

For heavier infestations, products like Bug-X Out or other permethrin-based garden sprays may help control adult beetles and larvae. Always follow label directions carefully and avoid spraying when pollinators are active.

Keep Plants Clean

Removing damaged foliage and cleaning up garden debris in fall may help reduce overwintering beetles for next season.

Consistency Is Key

Unfortunately, there’s no one-time fix for lily beetles. Regular monitoring and early treatment make the biggest difference in protecting your lilies throughout the summer.

If you have questions about identifying lily beetles or choosing the right treatment options, stop by Early's Farm & Garden Centre and chat with our gardening experts — we’re always happy to help.

Sask Made Sale Days at Early’s – June 19–21 (2026)

Join us for the first-ever Sask Made Sale Days at Early's, happening June 19–21 at both Early’s locations.

As a Saskatchewan business since 1907, we’re proud to support local makers and carry a wide range of Sask-made products across our garden, pet, and livestock departments. This event highlights and celebrates those local partners with special in-store savings on select items (details to be announced closer to the event on Facebook and in-store).

92.9 The Bull Live on Location – Lorne Ave Location

On  Saturday, June 20th from 9:00 AM–1:00 PM, join us at Early’s Lorne Ave for a live broadcast with 92.9 The Bull. It’s a great time to swing by, chat with the announcer, and get your name into the draws early!

Prizes & Draws

Draw entries will be available in-store only on Saturday, June 20th from 8:30 AM–5:30 PM. Customers will receive an entry slip with any purchase for a chance to win locally made products. Want to double your chances? Go for a drive and enter for a chance to win at BOTH Early's locations. 

There will be multiple draw baskets available, so you can choose which prize would suit you best! 

Prize highlights include:

• 6 bags of Ground Keeper Fertilizer (made just east of Saskatoon, SK) — retail value $39.99 each
• 4 jugs of Smart Earth Camelina Oil Equine Camelina Oil (made in Saskatoon, SK) — retail value $74.99 each
• 2 Evolution Raw Pet Food prize packs (made in Saskatoon, SK) — retail value $50 each
• 2 H-Start prize packs (made in Birch Hills, SK) — retail value $50 each
• 6 bags of MaxBites 1kg Chicken Treats (made in Saskatoon) — retail value $21.99 each
• 10 bags of Horizon Pet Food (made in Rosthern, SK) — retail value ranges from $65–90 per bag

Winners will be contacted the following week! 

Special Thanks to Our Local Sponsors

Thank you to our local sponsors for helping make this event possible:

Evolution Raw Pet Food, H-Start, Ground Keeper Fertilizer, Smart Earth Camelina Oil, MaxBites, and Horizon Pet Food.

Disclaimer: Winners will be contacted the following week. Prizes must be picked up at the Early’s location where the entry was made within 30 days of the draw date. A purchase of any amount is required to receive an entry slip. There will be a total of 30 winners, each winner will receive 1 unit of the selected prize. Sale pricing is available in-store only at both Early’s locations and is not available online. No rain checks will be provided on out-of-stock items.

Seed Potatoes Now in Stock!

Seed potatoes have officially arrived. All pre-orders are now ready for pickup at the location where they were placed. If you’re unsure which location you selected, please call 306-931-1982 for confirmation.

For customers who chose shipping, mail orders will begin once temperatures are warm enough to ensure safe delivery.

Please note that Gold Rush and French Fingerling varieties are unavailable this year. If you pre-ordered either of these, visit us in store or call to arrange a refund or select an alternate variety.

How to Order / Pick-Up Details:
• For pick-up at Early’s – Lorne Ave or for shipped orders, call 306-931-1982
• For pick-up at Early’s – 51st Street, call 306-931-1995

⚠️ Important: Please note which location you are ordering from, as your order will be ready for pick-up at that specific location only.

Please note / Disclaimer:
Potato arrival is weather-dependent in the spring, and an exact ETA is not available. We do not send individual notifications when stock arrives. Please check our social media or join our text list for the most up-to-date notifications.
For shipped orders, we will not ship potatoes until there is no risk of frost during transit.

Have not ordered yet? Potato, Onion & Garlic sets are now available online!

Gourmet varieties for 2026 below (Some may be only available in combo mix packs) 

Introducing a New Way to Grow Potatoes at Early’s: TRUE Potato Seeds from Tuberosum Technologies

At Early’s, we’re always excited to bring innovative growing solutions to our gardening community—and this season, we’re thrilled to introduce something truly groundbreaking: TRUE potato seeds from Tuberosum Technologies, proudly developed in Broderick, Saskatchewan.

This isn’t just a new product—it’s a whole new way to grow potatoes.

Meet the New Varieties

We’re launching three unique and exciting varieties:

• IvyRose – A beautiful and productive variety with excellent garden performance
• Solaris – Bright, vigorous, and full of energy in both growth and yield
• Artemesia – A resilient and versatile option for a wide range of growing conditions

Each of these varieties has been carefully developed to offer strong performance, adaptability, and a fresh take on potato growing.

What Are TRUE Potato Seeds?

Traditionally, potatoes are grown from seed tubers (cut pieces of potato). But TRUE potato seeds—often called TPS—are actual botanical seeds produced by potato plants. This method opens up a more flexible, efficient, and sustainable way to grow one of our favorite crops.

Why Grow Potatoes from Seed?

Switching to TRUE potato seeds comes with a long list of benefits:

• Long-lasting storage – Seeds can remain viable for 10+ years when stored properly
• Disease resistance – Significantly reduced risk of carrying or spreading disease
• Nearly zero infection risk – Unlike tubers, seeds are clean and safe to handle
• Grow anywhere – Perfect for containers, raised beds, or traditional gardens
• Start anytime – No need to wait for seed potatoes to arrive in stock
• Easy to ship and store – Lightweight, compact, and convenient
• Fast turnaround – Harvest in approximately 90 days from seed

A Game-Changer for Gardeners

TRUE potato seeds give growers more control, more flexibility, and more peace of mind. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this method makes it easier than ever to enjoy homegrown potatoes—on your schedule, in your space.

Available Now at Early’s

Shop now at Early’s Farm & Garden Centre and discover IvyRose, Solaris, and Artemesia for yourself. Want to learn more? Ask our garden seed department!

Early’s Weekly Biological Controls Special Orders

At Early’s, we special order biological controls weekly for both commercial growers and home gardeners. Whether you're managing a large greenhouse operation or caring for a few plants at home, we make it easy to access natural, effective pest control solutions.

What Are Biological Controls?

Biological controls are a natural method of managing pests using living beneficial organisms. These can include predatory insects, beneficial mites, parasitic wasps, and nematodes that actively target and reduce pest populations.

They work by:

• Feeding on harmful pests
• Interrupting pest life cycles
• Establishing a natural balance in your growing environment

This approach mirrors how nature keeps pests in check—without the need for harsh chemicals.

A Natural Solution You Can Trust

We source our biological controls from trusted suppliers like Plant Products and Biobest Canada, ensuring consistent quality and performance.

Biologicals are suitable for:

• Greenhouses
• Indoor growing spaces
• Outdoor gardens

Why Choose Biological Controls?

 Environmentally Friendly

Reduces reliance on chemical pesticides while supporting a healthier ecosystem.

 Targeted Pest Control

Controls harmful insects without affecting beneficial species like pollinators.

 Safe for People & Pets

A safer option for use around homes, workplaces, and public environments.

Sustainable & Preventative

Helps prevent future infestations by creating long-term balance.

 Clean Growing Solution

Ideal for edible crops and enclosed spaces where residue-free control is important.

Ordering & Pickup Information

• All special orders must be prepaid at the time of ordering
• Our team will provide you with an estimated arrival time (ETA) for your order
• Biological controls are available for in-store pickup at Early’s on Lorne Ave
• Pickup at Early’s north end location is not available
• Shipping via Purolator from Saskatoon may be available for an additional cost — please inquire for details

Quality Assurance & Storage

Upon arrival, our Bug Experts perform a quality assurance (QA) test to ensure the viability of all biological products. If there is an issue, we will alert you immediately and discuss your options.

While the products are in our care, we store them appropriately to maintain optimal conditions until pickup or shipping. After the product has been picked up or shipped, we cannot guarantee the storage or environmental conditions, and any risks from this point onward are the responsibility of the customer.

We will always do everything in our power to ensure biologicals are looked after and stored properly while in our care.

Order Weekly, Grow Naturally

Because biological controls are living organisms, freshness and timing matter. For best results:

• All biologicals should be used and applied to your plants as soon as possible
• If you are unable to pick up your product in a timely manner, let us know so we can continue proper storage or plan for shipping
• We recommend picking up your product within 1–2 days of its arrival at Early’s for the most viable bugs and best results

Our weekly special order program ensures you receive viable, effective products when you need them.

If you think biological controls might be the right choice for your growing needs, call the store at 306-931-1982 and ask for one of our Bug Experts!

A community fundraising program by Early's Farm & Garden Centre

Grow your fundraising goals while helping your community grow beautiful gardens.
Early’s Seeds for Success is a simple and rewarding fundraising program designed for schools, clubs, sports teams, and non-profit organizations. By selling quality garden seeds to friends, family, and supporters, your organization can raise funds while offering products people will actually use during the growing season.

Why Seed Fundraisers Work

• Practical and useful products – People actually want garden seeds!
• Affordable for supporters – Easy to sell to friends, family, and community members
• Supports local gardening – Helps grow healthy plants and pollinators in your community
• Easy to organize – Early’s provides seed lists, order forms, and clear instructions

Step-by-Step: How the Fundraiser Works

Step 1 – Contact Early’s

A representative from your organization contacts Early’s to express interest in participating in the Seeds for Success Fundraiser.

We will review how the fundraiser works, answer any questions, and establish a timeline and order deadline that works for your organization.

Step 2 – Receive Fundraising Materials

Once your fundraiser is confirmed, Early’s will provide the materials needed to get started.

These may include:

• Seed catalogue or seed list
• Order forms
• Fundraiser instructions

Your organization can then begin promoting the fundraiser to supporters in your community.

Step 3 – Collect Orders & Payments

Supporters browse the available seed selections and place orders through your organization members.

Your organization will:

• Collect completed order forms
• Collect payments from supporters

Payments are made directly to the fundraising organization, not to Early’s.

Step 4 – Submit All Individual Orders

When the fundraiser deadline arrives, your organization gathers all individual orders collected from supporters & submits them together to Early’s

• Each supporter’s order will remain separate and clearly identified so it can be packed individually.

Step 5 – Order Preparation & Final Invoice

Once the orders are received, the Early’s team will:

• Review all submitted orders
• Pick the seeds for each individual supporter’s order
• Package each order separately and clearly labeled with the supporter’s name

After all orders are prepared, Early’s will provide one invoice to the fundraising organization for the combined total of all orders, with the applicable fundraising discount applied.

The organization then submits one payment for the full order amount.

Seed varieties will be substituted if unavailable.

Step 6 – Pickup & Distribution

Once payment has been received, the completed orders will be released to the organization.

Orders can be:

• Picked up by the organization at Early’s Farm & Garden Centre, or
  • Shipped to the organization(shipping charges may apply)

All orders will be individually packed and clearly labeled, making them easy for the organization to sort and distribute.

The organization is responsible for delivering the correct orders to each supporter.

Individual customer pickup at Early’s is not available.

Fundraising Earnings

Your organization earns funds through a discount applied to the final combined order total.

Example

If your group sells $1,200 worth of seeds:

Total sales collected: $1,200
Discount applied: 20% ($240)

Your organization pays Early’s $960 and keeps $240 as fundraising profit.

The discount applies only to the organization’s final order and is not applied to individual customer purchases.

Who Can Participate?

The Seeds for Success fundraiser is available to:

• Schools
• Sports teams
• Clubs
• Community groups
• Non-profit organizations

Important Notes

• Fundraiser timelines and deadlines are set individually with each organization
• Orders must be submitted as one combined submission
• Payment is made once for the full order total
• Seed varieties may be substituted if unavailable
• Shipping is available for an additional cost
• Individual supporter pickup at Early’s is not available

Organization Responsibilities

The participating organization is responsible for:

• Promoting the fundraiser
• Collecting orders and payments from supporters
• Submitting all orders to Early’s
• Paying the final invoice
• Distributing completed orders to supporters

Get Started

To start your Early’s Seeds for Success Fundraiser, contact:

Audra Senger (Media Manager): 

Phone: 1-800-667-1159
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Let’s grow something great together! 

A Blast from the Past Is Hatching Again! 

Did you know Early’s once had its own hatchery? For decades, Chick Days were a springtime tradition—one that many longtime customers may remember from our historic catalogs and downtown location.

This spring, we’re proud to re-introduce Early’s Chick Days, bringing back a beloved piece of our history while helping a new generation experience the joy of raising chicks. Chick Days will return starting in March 2026 and we couldn’t be more excited to share this tradition with you. Check out our Facebook page for updates on Chick Day's coming this spring!

About Our Chicks (2026)
Chicks are provided by Future Traditions Farm and are barnyard mixed layer chicks that will lay a variety of colored eggs (excluding white). They are not vaccinated, not beak-trimmed, and are sold as non-sexed (straight-run) chicks. See the Live Animal Sale Policy at the end of this article: 

The last Chick Day of 2026 is May 16th 2026 (Early's on Lorne Ave)

Chicks will be available IN STORE ONLY, for pick up in store, and WHILE QUANTITIES LAST.

Please note — quantities are limited and chicks may sell out quickly. If you’re traveling from out of town, we strongly suggest calling ahead to check availability or pre-ordering ahead of time by calling 306-931-1982.

----------------------------------------------------

Here is some important information for beginning 'chicken tenders' 

Raising Layer Chicks: A Complete Beginner’s Guide for the Best Start

Bringing home day‑old layer chicks is exciting, but their success depends heavily on preparation before pickup day. Chicks are fragile during their first weeks of life, and having the correct setup, supplies, and knowledge in place ahead of time gives them the strongest possible start. Understanding their needs for heat, light, nutrition, cleanliness, and observation will significantly improve survival rates and long‑term health.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know so you can feel confident and fully prepared when your new chicks arrive.

Be Set Up Before You Bring Chicks Home

One of the most common mistakes new chicken keepers make is waiting until chicks arrive to finish setting up the brooder. Chicks should be placed immediately into a warm, draft‑free, fully prepared environment upon arrival.

Your brooder should be turned on and stabilized at least 12–24 hours in advance. This allows temperatures to regulate and ensures feeders and waterers are positioned correctly. Being prepared reduces stress on chicks and dramatically increases their chances of thriving.

Essential Supplies You’ll Need

Have these items ready before pickup:

• Brooder (draft‑free box, tote, or stock tank)
• Heat source (heat lamp or brooder plate)
• Thermometer (placed at chick level)
• Chick feeder (prevents waste and contamination)
• Chick waterer (shallow to prevent drowning)
• Clean bedding (pine shavings only—never cedar)
• Electrolytes or vitamins (optional, helpful first 1–3 days)

Keep bedding clean and dry at all times to prevent illness.

Heat & Temperature: The Foundation of Chick Health

Newly hatched chicks cannot regulate their body temperature. Proper heat is critical.

• • Week 1: 95°F / 35°C at chick level
  • Reduce by 5°F / 3°C each week
  • By 6 weeks: Fully feathered and comfortable at ~70°F / 21°C

Let chick behavior guide you:

• Too cold: loud chirping, huddling together
• Too hot: panting, spreading far from heat
• Comfortable: evenly spaced, calm, active

Lighting Needs at Each Stage of Life

Light impacts feeding behavior, growth, and future egg production.

• 0–6 weeks: 18–22 hours of light daily to encourage eating and drinking
• 6–16 weeks: 10–12 hours of light to prevent early laying
• 16+ weeks: Gradually increase to 14–16 hours of light to support egg production

Avoid sudden changes in lighting, as this can cause stress.

Feeding & Nutrition for Strong Growth

Early nutrition lays the groundwork for healthy, productive hens.

Chick Starter Feed

• Feed medicated chick starter (18–20% protein) from day 1 through 6–8 weeks
• Medicated starter contains amprolium, which helps protect chicks from coccidiosis, a common and potentially fatal intestinal disease. Medicated chick starter is highly recommended for chicks that are non-vaccinated.

Grower Feed

• Transition to grower feed (14–16% protein) from 8–16 weeks

Layer Feed

• Begin layer feed (16–18% protein with added calcium) at 16–18 weeks or once the first eggs appear

Always provide fresh, clean water. Never feed layer feed to chicks or young pullets.

Common Causes of Chick Loss & How to Address Them

Even with excellent care, chick loss can occur (Mortality between 2-5% in the first 6-8 weeks)  Quick identification and response are key. 

Temperature Stress
Signs: piling, lethargy, panting
Correction: immediately adjust heat height or output

Dehydration or Starvation
Signs: weakness, failure to thrive
Correction: dip beaks in water upon arrival; ensure easy access to feed

Coccidiosis
Signs: bloody droppings, drooping wings, lethargy
Correction: use medicated feed and maintain dry bedding

Injury or Smothering
Signs: sudden death, trampling
Correction: provide adequate space and eliminate corners

Pasty Butt: What to Watch For

Pasty butt is common during the first week and must be treated promptly.

Signs: dried feces blocking the vent
Care Steps:

1. Hold the chick gently
2. Use a warm, damp cloth to soften droppings
3. Slowly remove buildup—never pull dry material
4. Dry chick thoroughly and return to warmth

Check vents daily during the first 7–10 days.

Final Thoughts

Success with chicks starts long before pickup day. Being informed and fully prepared allows you to respond quickly to issues and provide the stable environment chicks need to grow into healthy, productive laying hens. Your preparation directly impacts their survival and long‑term well‑being.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Future Traditions Farm Livestock Sale Policy

By choosing to purchase one or more of our animals, you are expressing your acceptance and agreement of our livestock sales policy as outlined below.

Prior to purchase, buyers must educate themselves on the breed(s) of animals they are purchasing and comply with all local laws regarding those animals. As the breeder, we reserve the right to retain any animal regardless of reservation, and the right to refuse the sale of any animal we have hatched to anyone, for any reason, at any point in the transaction. In such cases, any monies paid will be refunded and the buyer agreement terminated.

Full payment is due prior to the animal(s) leaving our property. If paying at pickup, we accept cash, credit, and debit cards in store. Our animals are guaranteed healthy at the time they leave our farm; however, because we cannot control the stress of shipping or transport, nor the animal’s management or environment after leaving our care, we do not offer any further health guarantees or refunds.